More than 650 primary school children from Fenland have gained important safety skills from large-scale Safety Zone events held across three locations.
The interactive workshops, which combine education and fun, provided the children with essential safety education.
Schools took part throughout May and June at fire stations in March, Whittlesey, and Wisbech.
The events educated youngsters about numerous safety topics.
Rosie Cooke, from Fenland District Council’s Community Safety team, talks to youngsters from Park Lane Primary School in Whittlesey (Image: Submitted)
This included fire and water safety, road awareness, online security, first aid including CPR, dog behaviour comprehension and understanding age-appropriate product usage.
The Safety Zone events were initially introduced by the Fenland Community Safety Partnership more than a decade and a half ago.
The main objective of these events is to arm children with the knowledge to keep themselves and their peers safe.
This year's workshops were collaboratively organised by the Children and Young People team at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) and Fenland District Council.
Helping hands from CFRS Community Champions, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Wood Green Animal Shelter, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Schools Support Programme and East Anglian Air Ambulance also aided in the success of these events.
Station commander Paul Clarke, the lead for Children and Young People in CFRS, said: “We’ve been delighted to host these Safety Zones at our fire stations across Fenland.
Youngsters from Park Lane Primary in Whittlesey (Image: Submitted)
"These events provide a fantastic environment for young people moving from primary to secondary education to access important safety messaging.
"They’re able to learn in a friendly environment from a whole range of professional colleagues.
"All attendees take away a workbook, ensuring they are able to continue their learning after they leave us."
Councillor Susan Wallwork, Fenland District Council’s Portfolio Holder responsible for community safety, said: “The Safety Zone events continue to be huge success, with hundreds of pupils taking part in them every year.
“They offer valuable life skills to our young people in a fun and interactive way, helping them to protect themselves and their families too.
“Sessions are free and would not happen without the support of all the agencies involved, and the feedback from schools is always really positive.”
Staff from attending schools resonated this positive feedback.
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Teacher Callum Brown, maths lead and sports coordinator at Cavalry Primary School in March, said: “The children had a fantastic time at the fire station for the Safety Zone event.
"They were given every opportunity to learn vital skills that will keep them and others safe.
"Each activity was engaging and interactive which meant they were enjoyed by all children.
"Children wanted to continue their learning back at school with the use of the workbooks. We will definitely attend in the future.”
Peter Ingham, head of upper school at Park Lane Primary School in Whittlesey, said: “This experience for our children is invaluable.
"The life skills which they learn could help save not only their own life but the lives of many others.
"We are so fortunate to have this excellent opportunity, which builds character and confidence, available to us on our doorstep."
Part of the event includes First aid training (Image: Submitted)
Hannah Orbell, a Year Six teacher at All Saints Primary in March, said: “The Safety Zone event covered many aspects of how our young people can keep themselves safe and was relevant to the risks they face today, including online content and the negative effects of vaping."
One year 6 pupil from All Saints, Mia, had a positive experience.
She said: "All the activities were really fun, and they will help us in knowing, for example, the age restrictions when buying or using products."
Simultaneously, her classmate Aston added: "We learned how to keep ourselves safe and how to potentially save lives."
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